When we opened up our business in 1985, we never imagined how much fun it could be to bring Disney souvenirs to so many people. One of the things that always impressed us over the years was the incredible loyalty of Disney fans. Now we’re the leading retailer of Disney merchandise in Orlando.
Looking Back to 1985
In 1985 Wham!, Madonna and Chaka Khan were topping the music charts, and parachute pants and fingerless gloves were all the rage. Also that year, the Disneyland theme park was celebrating its 30th anniversary, and 101 Dalmations was reissued. Meanwhile, Treasure Island Gift Shop was just getting started as a Disney memorabilia provider in the Orlando area. It was an exciting time to be getting into Disney merchandise sales. In the ‘80s people dreamed big, and we were no exception.
Some Dreams Last Forever
Disney is a brand that has thrived for over five generations. These days, parents who loved the original Beauty and the Beast animated movie can now enjoy the live action film with their kids. The cherished characters and memories help bring families together.
This is something we always notice when Disney lovers stop by our officially licensed store. We see moms and dads with their kids freaking out over the memorabilia. It’s great to see adults transformed into kids again, laughing and sharing memories with their children.
Fun and Fantasy of All Kinds
When you think of the most popular Disney characters, Mickey and Minnie come to mind, right? Still, on the silver screen, the names now owned by Disney are some of the most successful entertainment franchises of all time. According to Box Office Mojo, the top grossing Disney films are:
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Black Panther
Avengers: Infinity War
Marvel’s The Avengers
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Incredibles 2
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Beauty and the Beast (2017)
Finding Dory
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
Toy Story 3
As you can see, we’ve come a long way from the wonderful original Disney cast. As the brand’s universe expanded, so did the merchandise we offer. Over the years, a big part of the fun was just keeping up with the variety.
Many Tastes
When Orlando locals or out of state tourists come to Disney, they often stop by our shop. The littlest ones still love Mickey and Minnie - this is one thing that never changes. But now, we also see adults and teens loving the Marvel and Star Wars collections. Disney has so much variety to offer, and we’ve kept up with the pace. Anyone can find something they identify with among our wide selection of Disney gifts.
One Big Happy Family
Think of all the characters you loved over the years - Donald, Goofy, Pinocchio, Mogli, Dory, Buzz and Jack Sparrow. Add in all the Marvel superheroes and Star Wars characters. Everyone has a favorite, or more than one. In the end, you feel like part of a large, fantastic family. We feel that way too.
The best part is that we actually get to know many of the real life Disney loving families. Over the past 30 years, this just might be what makes us happier than anything.
When you visit Disney and Orlando, make sure you stop by Treasure Island Gift Shop.